Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

There were no disclosures of personal and prejudicial interests.

None.

Questions can be submitted in writing to Scrutiny scrutiny@swansea.gov.uk up until noon on the working day prior to the meeting. Written questions take precedence. Public may attend and ask questions in person if time allows. Questions must relate to items on the open part of the agenda and will be dealt with in a 10 minute period.

The following questions were received from a member of the public.

QUESTION 1: For the purposes of this report/discussion, how is ‘community growing’ defined?

The report itself doesn't seek to establish a definition of Community growing nor a definition of Community growing for Swansea Council. Community involvement can take various forms, from informal to formal and includes the growing of food, biodiversity and green infrastructure.

QUESTION 2: What is the Council planning to do to encourage new levels of community interest in community growing; how is it going to spread the word beyond the groups already involved?

The Council administer several grants and community groups can apply for help to tackle food poverty, support community growing, green spaces and biodiversity projects. When grants are launched, they are promoted and specifically shared to relevant organisations. Teams liaise with Council's publicity team to share grants in the public domain and on social media.

QUESTION 3: Is there a clear departmental/organisational framework for the development of new projects, from 'community interest' through to establishment of projects?

The Council encourage a “no wrong front door” approach to providing support for community groups that are interested in community growing. This allows groups or individuals to utilise the contacts that they already have with the Council. Officers across different departments work collectively in collaboration to provide support as appropriate for each project proposal.

Cllr Alyson Anthony – Cabinet Member for Wellbeing

Cllr Cyril Anderson – Cabinet Member for Community Services

Cllr Cyril Anderson and a number of officers attended to give an overview of their briefing and to answer questions from group members.

·       The Cabinet Member gave an overview of the work carried out over 5 different areas of the Council (Tackling Poverty Development Team, Local Area Coordination, Cultural Services, Nature Conservation and AONB Team and Property Services) and the benefits this work had supported including contributing to corporate objectives of tackling poverty, climate change and nature recovery.

·       Working Group Members asked questions regarding community orchards and the support available to develop and maintain them.

·       Promotion and identification of potential growing sites was discussed. The Council are carrying out mapping exercises which may identify potential sites. In general, community growing projects stem from initial community interest.

·       Questions were asked on garden share schemes which allow those who cannot maintain their gardens to be used for growing. Whilst the Council do not offer this there are 3^rdsector organisations / projects that do.

·       Allotment management was discussed and consideration was given to how allotments are monitored, and empty plots advertised.

·       The potential needs for support to farmers was discussed in relation to the proposed new Sustainable Farming Scheme being discussed by Welsh Government.

·       Community Growing in schools was discussed with mention of representation on school governing bodies.

Councillors are asked to discuss conclusions arising from this session for inclusion in the Convener’s letter to the Cabinet Member, or, if appropriate, a report to Cabinet:

a. What do you want to say about this issue to the Cabinet Member (what are your conclusions arising from this session?)

 b. Do you have any recommendations for the Cabinet Member arising from this session?

 c. Are there any further issues you wish to highlight to the Scrutiny Programme Committee arising from this session?

From their discussions the Working Group Members made the following conclusions and recommendations which are summarised below:

1.       Members recommended a joined-up approach or strategy for community growing with one department having oversight.

2.       Members asked Council to consider a scheme where those who are unable to maintain or use their own gardens for growing can offer them to other members of the community or community groups for growing in return for a share in the produce.

3.       It encouraged the Council to share sites with potential for community growing with Councillors and ward members.

4.       It requested more information to be shared with Councillors on the “Wild about our Ward” project.

5.       Members request Council consider a form of annual reporting for all allotment associations.

6.       Members wish to encourage schools to appoint a nature and biodiversity governor.

Following on from this meeting a letter will be written from the Convener of the Working Group to the Cabinet Member, summarising the discussion and outlining the Working Group’s conclusions and recommendations.